Government & Politics

German cabinet declares Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria ‘safe’ Germany's cabinet wants to add three Maghreb states and Georgia to a list of 'safe countries of origin.' But will the change pass Germany's upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, where it failed last year?

(Deutsche Welle) The German government will put forward legislation declaring Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Georgia “safe countries of origin.” The decision was reached after the weekly meeting of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet on Wednesday in Berlin. If enacted, the change in the […]

Government & Politics

Disqualified UCP candidate stands behind calling Islam an ‘evil cult’ Warning: This story contains language that might be disturbing to some readers

(CBC) A now-disqualified United Conservative Party candidate is defending racist and anti-Islam comments he made on social media that prompted his removal from the southern Alberta ballot. The posts, in which he calls the religion an “evil cult,” came to light only days before party […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Michigan lawmaker suggests Muslim candidate faces hurdles due to his faith Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell is among those backing someone else in her party’s gubernatorial race.

(HuffPost) Rep. Debbie Dingell implied Saturday that Muslim Abdul El-Sayed, a fellow Democrat seeking the party’s gubernatorial nomination in Michigan, would face more obstacles because of his faith in the general election than the candidate she supports. Dingell, like virtually all of […]

Government & Politics

German government aims to expand Islam Conference with critical voices Germany's Interior Ministry wants to curb the influence of organized and often conservative Muslim associations at the country's annual Islam Conference. Critics say the move risks limiting religious dialogue.

(Deutsche Welle) By the time the summer comes to a close, things will be different at the German Islam Conference, an annual event aimed at fostering dialogue between the government and Muslims living in the country. At least that is the aim […]

Academics & Education

Turkey’s Gulen movement on the rise in Germany After Turkey's foiled coup attempt in 2016, many supporters of exiled Muslim cleric Fetullah Gulen were driven out of the country. But in Germany, the movement is increasingly gaining influence, writes Gunnar Köhne.

(Deutsche Welle) When the Turkish government crushed an attempted coup on July 15, 2016, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed supporters of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric in self-imposed exile in the United States. There were plenty of rumors about Gulen’s involvement in […]

Government & Politics

UK commission to probe output of ‘intellectual’ extremists Head of counter-extremism body tells the National she will make decisions after major research project

(National-UAE) A UK government-appointed body is to consider new laws to tackle increasingly professional extremist groups that harness the power of social media to disguise divisive messages as mainstream political campaigns. Sara Khan, the group’s head, cited the work of the international […]

Crime

Germany outlaws Turkish boxing gang

(Gatestone) German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has banned a Turkish boxing gang called “Osmanen Germania BC” (“Germania Ottomans”) on the grounds that it poses a serious threat to public order. The gang, most of whose members are Turkish Germans, is said to […]

Government & Politics

Those who stand up to extremism ‘vilified’ in UK, says commissioner Sara Khan Counter-extremism commissioner Sara Khan admits she has received death threats in the course of her work.

(Sky News) People are being “vilified” for standing up to extremism in some UK communities, the counter-extremism commissioner has told Sky News. Sara Khan said some stories have left her “heartbroken,” while the problem is increasing in scale and becoming more professionalised. […]